Cyclist killed in Black Country crash an hour after car ram raids Boots

QUOTE:
A cyclist has died after a hit-and-run which happened an hour after the same car is believed to have been used in a ram raid.

The cyclist, a 19-year-old man, was hit by a Vauxhall Corsa on Midland Road in Darlaston in the early hours of this morning.

Officers on patrol spotted an ongoing ram raid at Boots on Dudley Street, Wolverhampton at 11.50pm on Thursday night.

A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary. A police car was rammed by a red Vauxhall Corsa as it left the scene.

Over an hour later, a police car was in the Darlaston area when the same Corsa was seen to crash with the cyclist.

The police car was not believed to be in pursuit of the Corsa at the time of the crash, West Midlands Police said.

Police officers carried out CPR with the help of firefighters but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

An injured female passenger was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital..

A 33-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary. Two other women, aged 21 and 39 and a 36-year-old man, were later arrested on suspicion of burglary and death by dangerous driving. They all remain in police custody today.

The force's professional standards department and the IOPC have been made aware.

Inspector Chris Fox from force CID said: “This is a really complicated investigation and we are still piecing together the circumstances leading to the tragic death of a young man.

“Although we have made several arrests, we are still urging anyone with information on both the ram raid and the collision to contact us.

“The road remains closed as we conduct forensic examinations, and we thank everyone for their patience.�

The red Corsa involved in the crash overturned and ended up on the pavement after hitting the cyclist at around 1am.

Midland Road, which runs under the Black Country Route between Willenhall and Darlaston, was cordoned off and West Midlands Police is investigating but the force is yet to comment on the incident.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews arrived to discover two patients, one of whom, the cyclist, was in a critical condition.

“Colleagues from the police were already administering CPR on our arrival and were assisted by colleagues from the fire service.

“Ambulance staff administered specialist trauma care and administered advanced life support but sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, it became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.

“There was one patient from the car, a woman, who was a front-seat passenger.

"She was out of the car on our arrival and after receiving treatment for non life-threatening injuries, she was taken to Walsall Manor Hospital for further assessment.�

West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a MERIT trauma team to the scene, which included a doctor and a critical care paramedic. The first resource was on scene within three minutes.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to contact police via live chat on the website or by calling 101. Quote log number 106 of 27/11.

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